Author's Note: Hi, I'm sorry, it has been a very long time. Hope you like it.

Diagon Alley

Draco's Point of View

I walked along the streets of Diagon Alley, keeping my head down in fear that the folks on the streets would recognize me. For some unexplainable reason, I felt ashamed of being seen in public.

I walked past the shops and caught my own reflection in one of the shop window. I stared and almost laughed out. No one would recognize me, I looked like a shadow of my former self. The smirk, the arrogance, the air of Malfoy superiority was all gone….and what was left….

A face suddenly peered at me from the other side of the window and made me jumped. It was the wrinkled face of Mr. Ollivander, the wizard wand-maker.

I did not know what came over me. Perhaps it was the sudden shock, or perhaps I saw this as an opportunity to get away from the streets. But at that moment, I chose to step into the wand-maker's shop & asked, albeit hesitantly "Are you hiring any help, sir? I am looking for a job & am not asking for much"

Mr. Ollivander seemed overcome with surprise. "Well, dear me…" he muttered. He pondered for a while. I looked at him desperately. "Sir, if it helps you, you can try me out for a few weeks. I asked for nothing back in return except food & lodging."

The old wand-maker looked at me with raised eyebrows. He continued to ponder for a few more moments before saying "Very well, let us see what you are made of."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I have a…job.

Mr. Ollivander kept me working in the backroom of the shop most of the time, brewing concoctions for his wand-making process. This was just as well, for I did not want to be seen in the shop by anyone. News spread fast in Diagon Alley.

The backroom was small, & stuffy. But to me, it felt like heaven. Everyday, I brewed concoctions using combinations of dragon heartstrings or phoenix feathers under the strict supervision of Mr. Ollivander. Somehow the work gave me a sense of….self-worth. Especially when the old wand-maker seemed pleased with my skill, although he never openly praised me. But then, Potions was always my best subject at Hogwarts.

Days turned to weeks, and weeks to months. And I have never felt happier.

Like all good things, it has to come to an end one day. My days of peace & quietness was shattered when news leaked out that the "Malfoy Heir" was "working as an assistant" at Ollivander's. The Daily Prophet ran a full cover story of me. Scores of curious onlookers visited the shop, not so much as to make purchases for wands, but to peek at me.

Mr. Ollivander was very much annoyed. I was embarrassed & scared that this meant the end of my stint. And I was right. Mr. Ollivander came to me and said gently but firmly that I had to go. My heart went cold, but I knew the old wand-maker was right.

On a cold November day I packed my bags & left Ollivander's.

I knew no one would hire me after my splash of publicity at the Daily Prophet. Mr. Ollivander had given me wages during my time with him so I had a bit of money. I decided to leave England.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not realized I was being followed. All of a sudden a hand grabbed me from behind in an iron grip. I turned around in pain and stared into a cold, hard face. Lucius Malfoy.

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